DEERCREEK TOWNSHIP
CEMETERY
RULES AND REGULATIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1
Organization ......................................................... 3
SECTION 2
Purchase of Lots ................................................ 4,5
SECTION 3
Funerals and Interments ................................... 6,7
SECTION 4
Care of Lots ........................................................... 8
SECTION 5 Monuments – Markers ……………………….…9,10
SECTION 6
Grave Spaces ..................................................... 11
SECTION 7
Removals – Disinterments .................................. 12
SECTION 8
General Rules ..................................................... 13
SECTION 9 Fees………………………………………………..…14
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ORGANIZATION
The Deercreek Township Cemetery is a Township Cemetery (in compliance with
the Ohio Revised Code – ORC) not operated for profit. There are no
stockholders and no dividends; all net receipts are expended on property
upkeep and improvements.
The cemetery is under the management and control of the Deercreek Township
Board of Trustees who are elected by the voters of Deercreek Township who
alone have control and direction of the affairs of the cemetery.
The management of the Deercreek Township Cemetery will be conducted
pursuant to these Rules and section 517 et. seq. of the Ohio Revised Code.
NOTE: THESE RULES AND REGUALTIONS MAY BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE BY
THE DEERCREEK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND NOTHING HEREIN SHALL
PREVENT SAID BOARD FROM USING THEIR DISCRETIONARY ACTIONS PERTAINING
TO THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS.
APPROVED: November 2010
Revised: March 1, 2013
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PURCHASE OF LOTS
The purchase of lots is controlled by Ohio Revised Code section 517.07. Persons
desiring to purchase a family lot are invited to contact the cemetery sexton at
the Township Office where arrangements can be made to view the lots that are
available for sale.
Upon purchase of lot and payment for it, the township clerk will deliver a deed
to the purchaser. No lot is considered sold until paid in full. Prices of all lots are
fixed by the trustees and cannot be altered except as provided for in the
O.R.C., as pertaining to “indigents” etc. There is a “schedule of fees” available
from the sexton and/or trustees.
Grave spaces are four (4) foot by ten (10) or eleven (11) feet. Oversized vaults
may require the purchase of two grave spaces.
Lots will be marked by corner stones, numbered to correspond with the deed,
record, and plat-book, and set as level as possible with the sod.
The number of interments, which may properly be made upon a lot, is definitely
fixed at the time of purchase, and no more will be permitted unless specifically
approved by the Township Board of Trustees.
Transfer of record title to a cemetery lot from the name of the decedent to that
of an heir at law or next of kin may occur if the following conditions are met:
1. Within one (1) year the person receiving such interest gives
written notice to the Board of Trustees;
2. Lives in Deercreek Township or in an adjoining township as listed
above;
3. Receives a new deed or record from the Board.
Resale of grave spaces is not permitted. Unused lots may only be sold
back to the Deercreek Township at the price that was originally paid.
As a term of sale, the Township Trustees reserve the right of re-entry to an
unused lot, as governed by the O.R.C.
The Township Trustees require the following as conditions of sale of a
cemetery lot:
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A. The grantee shall provide to the Board of Township Trustees, in
writing, a list of the names and addresses of the person to whom the
grantee’s property would pass by intestate succession.
B. The grantee shall notify the Board in writing of any subsequent
changes in the name or address of any persons to whom the property
would descend.
C.
Any person who receives a township cemetery lot by gift,
inheritance, or any other means other than the original conveyance shall,
within one (1) year after receiving such interest, give written notice of his
name and address to the board having control over the cemetery, and
shall notify the board of any subsequent changes in his name or address.
D.
The Township may specify that the owner, a member of the
owner’s family, or an owner’s descendant, must use the lot, or at least one
burial place within the lot, within a specified time period. The board may
specify this time period to be at least twenty (20) but not more than fifty
(50) years, with the right of renewal at no cost.
5
FUNERALS AND INTERMENTS
Arrangements for interments must be made at least forty-eight (48) hours in
advance of time set for the funeral. Arrangements must be made by personal
contact with the cemetery sexton or a Township Trustee.
If the service date is changed after notifying the Township, the forty-eight (48)
hour period begins at time the Township is notified. Proof of deed and available
burial space information must be given to the sexton or trustee when the
notification of service date is given.
All interments are under the direction of the sexton, who will have entire control
of the digging of graves and all matters relating thereto. Funerals upon
reaching the Cemetery will be under the charge of the sexton or one of his
assistants.
Only one interment may be made in one grave space with the exception of; an
infant or cremains may be entered on grave with permission of lot owner as long
as it doesn’t interfere with existing vault. Two cremains are permitted on one
grave space. Fees apply per interment.
Interments in the township cemeteries will only be made under the approval of
a Township Trustee.
No outer casing of wood will be permitted.
Services at the cemetery should begin no later than 3:00 p.m. on weekdays and
1:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. An additional $100 per each half hour
applies to services starting later.
No interments will be permitted on the following holidays:
New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving
Day, and Christmas Day.
Under the rules and regulations of the Board of Health, immediate burial may be
required in certain circumstances.
The cemetery will not be responsible for an order received by telephone or for
any error resulting from the lack of precise and proper instructions as to the
particular space, size, and location in a plot where interment is to be made and
the Township Trustees shall not be liable in damages for any error so made.
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All interment charges must be paid in advance, or guaranteed by the funeral
director, personally.
All interments are subject to local, county, and state laws, regularly constituted.
Graves will not be re-opened for inspection, except for official investigation or
by order of the trustees.
The cemetery must insist that all interments are settled solid before sodding or
seeding and area must be level with surroundings.
No interments will be made without a burial permit furnished by the funeral
director and delivered to the sexton before disposition of body concerned.
Upon entering the cemetery gates, the funeral cortege is in charge of the
sexton and/or his assistants, and his orders must be followed by the funeral
director. No funeral director, his assistant, employee or agent shall be permitted
to open the casket or touch the remains without the consent of the legal
representation of the deceased or without a court order.
.
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CARE OF LOTS
Under no circumstances will a lot be terraced above or below surroundings of
adjoining grounds.
To keep all lot owners harmonious as possible without infringing on an adjoining
lot, all planting must be under the supervision of the sexton, with the approval of
the Board of Trustees.
No planting full length of grave space, or digging holes in sod, is permitted. All
planting must be on graveside of monument not to exceed 18 inches from base
of monument and no more than thirty-six (36) inches in height.
Holiday decorations will be respected for a reasonable period of time as
determined by the Trustees. (Usually thirty (30) days)
Township Trustees will not be responsible for any tools, clothing, or other personal
property, unattended by its owner.
No trees, plants, shrubs, will be planted on lots or graves, nor shall any trees or
shrubs be trimmed or removed by anyone other than a cemetery employee
unless authorized or directed by the Board of Trustees.
If any existing tree or shrub on any lot becomes detrimental or injurious to
adjacent lots, walks, or avenues, it will be the right and duty of cemetery
personnel to remove as instructed by Township Trustees.
The Township reserves the right to remove any or all floral designs, flowers,
weeds, trees, shrubs, or plants of any kind, wooden, iron, or steel case or artificial
animals, statues, or any other item, if, in the judgment of the trustees, they do
not conform to the standards maintained.
No curbing, fencing, hedging, borders, or enclosures, or other boundary
marketing will be permitted on any lot. The Trustees reserve the right to remove
it if erected, planted, or placed.
Items of value which do not conform or not maintained in good condition will
be removed and stored for thirty (30) days. Items may be claimed by calling the
cemetery sexton.
The taking of plants, shrubs, trees, or flowers from another lot or grave is strictly
forbidden.
The cemeteries close at dusk.
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MONUMENTS – MARKERS – MEMORIALS
Any person contemplating the erection of a monument, marker or memorial
should first consult the sexton so that stones appropriate in size and design are
selected for the proposed location. The sexton receives instructions from the
Trustees who standardize the design, size and material that is acceptable.
All orders for foundations must be presented on a regular form provided by the
monument company, signed by the lot owner and dealer furnishing the
memorial. Burial space information must be given with the order.
All foundations to monuments, markets, etc. will be made a ground level and be
constructed of wet concrete by cemetery personnel. Foundations for
monuments will be erected at times as determined practical. The Township
officials or employees shall not be liable for certain completion dates.
No monument, marker or memorial will be installed without a foundation.
Under no circumstances will any kind of homemade marker resembling a
memorial stone or rough boulder be placed on any lot in the cemetery.
When any monument or memorial of any kind is to be removed for inscription,
cleaning or any other work to be done upon it, permission must be obtained
from the Board of Trustees.
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MONUMENTS OR MARKERS
The Township Trustees will allow one piece above ground headstones for the
Cemetery which meets the following criteria:
1. Military markers shall only be permitted at the foot of the grave, readable
from the foot of the grave facing the head. Military markers shall be considered
foot markers.
2. Only one headstone and one foot marker per grave.
3. Foot markers must be flush and identify one grave only.
4. Headstones may be flush or upright and may identify one or two spaces.
5. Dimensions:
a.
high.
b
high.
c.
d.
e.
Upright slant faced headstone for a single grave. 24” long, 10“ wide, 16”
Upright slant faced headstone for a double grave. 60” long, 14“ wide, 42”
Flush headstone for a single grave. 24” long, 12“ wide, 4” high.
Flush headstone for a double grave. 36” long, 10 “ wide, 4” high.
Footstone. 24” long, 12 “ wide, 4” high.
The above dimensions represent maximum sizes of allowable markers.
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GRAVE SPACES
1. Unused grave spaces can only be sold to the Township. Resale of spaces is
not permitted.
2. Unused grave spaces will be purchased by the Township at the original
purchase price.
3. Lots (grave spaces) are for burial purposes only; no other claim can be made
by the owner or deed holder.
4. Only one vaulted burial per space is permitted: two cremations are permitted
per space or one vault and one cremation.
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REMOVALS AND DISINTERMENTS
All disinterments are subject to local, county, and state laws and will be
enforced at all times.
Disinterments and removals must be all paid in advance.
Removing from one cemetery to another, the sexton must have the removal
permit or disinterment permit from the county health department involved.
Removals and disinterment can be ordered only by a court order.
In the case of interment, disinterment or removal, the cemetery employees will
exercise the greatest of care in handling the casket or vault and the Township or
its officials or employees will not be responsible for any damage incurred by so
doing.
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GENERAL RULES
SUMMARY
1. These rules are required to keep our cemeteries safe and allow effective
maintenance of the cemetery appearance. They are not intended to be an
inconvenience.
2. No planting or placement of permanent objects is allowable within the
cemetery.
3. During mowing season, items such as flowerpots, statues, wreaths, etc., may
be placed at the head of the grave as long as it does not extend more than
twelve (12) inches from the face or sides of the monument. Nothing shall be
permitted from the rear of the stone and nothing over thirty-six (36) inches in
height is permitted.
4. Holiday decorations will be respected for a reasonable period of time
determined by the Township Board of Trustees.
5. Items which do not conform or not maintained in good condition will be
removed and stored for thirty (30) days. Call the cemetery sexton to claim
removed items.
6. The cemeteries close at dusk.
7. One cremation may be buried on a vaulted grave or two cremations on a
grave.
8. A vault cannot be added to a grave with a cremation buried on it.
County/cemeteries
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FEES
Grave Space
Resident
Non-resident
$300
$900
Opening / Closing*
Weekdays
Weekends and Holidays
$550
$700
Weekdays
Weekends and Holidays
$200
$300
Opening / Closing – Cremation*
*Services at the cemetery should begin no later than 3:00 p.m. on weekdays
and 1:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. An additional $100 per each half hour
applies to services starting later.
Oversized Graves - Additional
$100
Marker Foundations
(2” margin around marker)
.50 / Sq. In.
Sunday Burials
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Day
President’s Day
Easter
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Revised and Effective 3/1/2013
County/cemeteries
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